Totto Land
"Mama... there's only one week left. Kuke is definitely going to come."
Big Mom nodded confidently.
"He will come, no doubt about it."
"Do you all understand why I invited Kuke to the tea party?" Big Mom asked, looking directly at her daughters.
Everyone nodded.
"It's simple. To arrange a marriage alliance with Kuke."
As for Stussy and the Ope Ope no Mi, those were secondary in Big Mom's eyes. Marriage with Kuke was the top priority. If the marriage succeeded, getting Kuke to deal with Stussy or use the Ope Ope no Mi to her advantage would be easy.
"Who wants to marry Kuke?"
Smoothie and the others stared at their mother in surprise.
To think she was actually asking them this time?
It was clear that Kuke was held in high regard, even by Mama. He wasn't just anyone; he was treated differently.
Smoothie did not step forward. Instead, she watched her sisters. A hint of disdain played on her lips.
Who could be her rival here?
The daughters of Big Mom were restless, but none of them stepped forward immediately.
"Mama, Kuke is only twenty years old. Surely, we shouldn't pair him with someone older than him, right?" A pink-haired beauty named Charlotte Galette stepped forward.
Galette was one of Big Mom's more famous daughters, the Minister of Butter. She was twenty-eight and powerful, with considerable talent—one of the few daughters who could be considered beautiful by more conventional standards. She was only nineteen years old.
Upon hearing her comment, many in the room frowned, glaring at Charlotte Galette.
Many of them were older than twenty.
Take Smoothie, for instance. She was already twenty-three.
"In the world of pirates, who cares about age?" Smoothie retorted coldly.
Charlotte Galette looked at Smoothie, feeling the pressure from her words. Despite her hesitation, she didn't back down, meeting Smoothie's eyes. It was as if sparks flew between them.
Smoothie turned to Big Mom. "Mama, marrying Kuke is an alliance between Yonko. It must not be taken lightly or approached carelessly."
Smoothie lifted her head proudly.
Almost all of the daughters looked down, intimidated. Only a few dared hold their heads high.
This was a marriage to Yonko Kuke, a man on the same level as Mama herself.
Smoothie's words seemed to convey an unspoken message: Were they truly worthy of marrying Kuke?
"None of us have even met Kuke. We don't know his personality or preferences. Isn't it naive for us to discuss this so casually?" Another daughter stood up—a beautiful purple-haired woman named Charlotte Custard. Like her twin brother Cracker, she held a high status within the family.
She didn't fear Smoothie.
"That's true. What if Kuke prefers a different kind of partner?" A slender, pale-skinned woman added. She wore a large hat, a cigarette dangling from her lips, her face cool and distant.
This was Charlotte Amande—a cruel swordswoman known throughout the New World. She was of the Snake-Neck Tribe, possessing a strange, almost morbid beauty.
The other daughters kept silent, not daring to speak.
In terms of looks and strength, they knew they couldn't compare to these four.
"Mama... it seems you are all willing," Big Mom observed, looking at her four daughters.
Each of them was an important asset to her.
Big Mom's gaze swept over the four of them.
"You're right. Kuke isn't just anyone. Marrying him would be an accomplishment. But ultimately, who he marries will be his choice."
The four women, along with the others, exhaled in relief.
Mama had not pointed anyone out.
Which meant everyone still had a chance.
What if Kuke had unique preferences? If he didn't care about strength or age, and liked someone like them, then it could be their opportunity.
"If he chooses one of you, you will marry him. Any objections?"
Big Mom's aura intensified, the pressure weighing down on her daughters.
If any one of them refused Kuke after he chose them, it would ruin everything. And if that happened, Big Mom would have only one response—
Kill them.
Everyone lowered their heads slightly, signaling their agreement.
"Mama! News just came in! The Sun and Moon Pirates have appeared at the border of Totto Land!"
The eldest son rushed in, trembling with excitement as he reported the news.
"They're here?"
Big Mom's eyes widened.
It was about time.
It would still take a few days for them to reach Whole Cake Island.
"Mama, make sure everyone is ready to welcome our guest," she ordered.
"Yes, Mama!"
The daughters began to leave the hall as well.
"Kuke has arrived. Instead of waiting for him at the party, wouldn't it be better to get to know him earlier?"
Smoothie immediately sought out her eldest brother, about to ask which direction the Sun and Moon Pirates had come from.
But she wasn't alone.
Others had come as well—Charlotte Galette among them.
The same purpose brought them all here.
Big Mom's daughters were in fierce competition.
"The Sun and Moon Pirates are approaching from the southeast, near Charlotte Galette's Butter Town," the eldest brother said hastily before making a quick exit.
The tension in the air made his scalp prickle. Even he felt the pressure.
"Seems like fate," Charlotte Galette said smugly, glancing at her sisters.
They were near her territory, after all.
"So what? You won't make it in time if you go now," Charlotte Custard retorted.
The distance was too great. By ship, they wouldn't reach Butter Town in time.
By the time they got there, Kuke would already be at Whole Cake Island. Meeting him by chance at sea was also unlikely.
"Is that so?" Charlotte Galette smiled but said nothing further. She turned and began walking towards the direction of Whole Cake Island.
"She isn't really planning to sail back to meet the Sun and Moon Pirates, is she? Isn't she afraid of missing the tea party entirely?" Charlotte Custard murmured.
Smoothie looked thoughtfully at Galette's departing figure, her brows slightly furrowed.
"No, Smoothie is going to find Brûlée," Custard realized suddenly.
"Brûlée?"
"No! She can use Brûlée's Mirror-Mirror ability to get back quickly."
They all immediately understood.
They couldn't let Charlotte Galette gain the upper hand alone. Custard hurried to catch up, and Smoothie began to move as well.
Even you, Smoothie? Charlotte Amande thought, stunned as she watched Smoothie.
That doesn't suit your proud nature.
Smoothie gave her a sidelong glance, saying nothing.
Before long, they caught up with Charlotte Galette.
She had just found Brûlée, but before she could leave, she saw them approaching.
Galette's face twisted in annoyance.
"Hmph. My Butter Town does not welcome you. Don't think you can come onto my territory," Charlotte Galette said coldly, showing no sisterly warmth.
The other daughters glared at Galette.
If she refused, there was nothing they could do.
It was her territory, after all, and without Mama's orders, no one could enter without permission.
"Goodbye then." Charlotte Galette gave them one last smug look before disappearing into the mirror with Brûlée's help.
"Where are you going?" Brûlée asked nervously, looking at Smoothie and the others with fear.
"Since we can't go to Butter Town, there's still Potato Island nearby. We'll go to Potato Island."
"Yes."
They entered the mirror, disappearing from Whole Cake Island.
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DONT FORGET POWER STONE
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